Marine floats and method for making same



sept. 12, 1967 R. LQ JONES MARINE FLOATS AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAMEFiled April 3G, 1965 2 .Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

- RALPH L f/a/vfs ATTORNEYS.

Sept. 12, 1967 R @JONES 3,340,553

MARINE FLOATS AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAME Filed April 30, 1965 2Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

,641 PH L. Jan/fs ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent O 3,340,553 MARINE FLoATs AN? METHOD FOR MAKIN Thisinvention relates to marine floats and method of making the same, andmore particularly to masonry coated marine floats and buoys.

One object of the instant invention is to provide a marine oat which islight in weight and 'inexpensive to produce.

Another object of this invention is to provide a marine float or buoywhich is totally waterproof and airtight.

Another object of this invention is to provide a marine float or buoywhich may be colored during manufacture to provide a permanently tintedoat.

Another object of this invention is to provide a strong durable marineoat which is chemically inert and which will not suffer fromelectrolytic decomposition.

It is another object of this invention to provide a method of makingmarine oats by spray coating a Styrofoam core with a masonry coating. I

Another object of this invention is to provide a marine float having aStyrofoam core and a masonry coating with internal strengthening means.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method of making marinefloats into any desired configuration.

Another object of this invention is to provide a marine float having acentral well into which may be placed the operative mechanism for asi-gnalling device.

Other objects and advantages of this invention reside in thecombinations of elements, arrangements of parts, and features ofconstruction, all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter anddisclosed in the accompanying drawings wherein there are shown preferredembodiments of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

FIGURE l is a plan view of a raft which utilizes marine oats inaccordance with the principles of the instant invention, certain partsbeing broken away for clarity of illustration;

FIGURE 2 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE land viewing in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 3 is a partial sectional view of the marine float shown in FIGURE2;

FIGURE 4 ls a schematic view showing a number of the oats of FIGURE 3being used to cordon oif an area of a water body;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view of another oat made in accordance with theinstant invention;

FIGURE 6 is a transverse sectional View of the ernbodiment shown inFIGURE 5, taken along line 6-6 and viewing in the direction of Ithearrows;

FIGURE 7 is a view showing a plurality of marine oats of varyingconfigurations, all of the floats being made in accordance with theprinciples of the instant invention;

FIGURE 8 is an embodiment of a marine buoy which is adapted to carry asignalling means;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged partially sectioned view of the device of FIGURE8;

FIGURE 10 is a cross sectional view of the device of FIGURES 8 and 9taken along the line 10-10 of FIG- URE 9 and viewing in the direction ofthe arrows;

FIGURE 11 is a larger marine buoy of similar lower configuration to theembodiment of FIGURES 8 to l0, and having a gong type alarm on the uppersurface thereof; and

3,340,553 Patented Sept. 12, 1967 FIGURE 12 is another embodiment of amarine buoy having a similar lower configuration and having a whistle orhorn type alarm on the upper end thereof.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like referencecharacters indicate like elements throughout the several views thereof,there is indicated generally at 10 a raft comprising an upper planarsurface 12 which is customarily rectangular in configuration and boundedby fore and aft depending flanges 14, 16 and lateral depending flanges18, 20.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, a series of depending slats 22 divide theunder surface of float 10 into a series of elongated stalls into whichare positioned a plurality of marine floats indicated generally at 24.Any suitable means may be provided to secure oats 24 in the stallsprovided by depending flanges 18, 20 and depending ridges 22.

Referring now to FIGURE 3, float 24 comprises an interior cylindrical orrectangular Styrofoam or polystyrene core 26 having upper and lowerplanar surfaces 28, 30 and a peripheral surface 32. The outer surface 34of float 24 is a masonry coating which is applied as more fullyexplained hereinafter.

It has been found particularly advantageous to utilize a masonrycompound composed of white Portland cement and graded silica sand inratios of between one part cement to three parts sand to one part cementto four parts sand and additives in accordance with the following table:

It has been found that a marine float or buoy sprayed with a masonrycompound in accordance with the above formulation provides an unusuallystrong waterproof surface. In addition it has been found that inspraying a core of Styrofoam or polystyrene there is substantiallyadhesion of the sprayed compound to the core. Such excellent adhesiveproperties of the core and the sprayed compound precludes extensiverebound of the expensive formulation.

In addition to the previously indicated ingredients, calcium chloridemay be added to the mix in amounts of 1-2 pounds per 10() pounds ofcomposition to regulate the curing time of the sprayed cement. Likewisea liquid additive will be added in a proportion necessary to achieve thedesired texture. A coloring pigment may be added to achieve a readilyvisible buoy which requires no repainting during the life thereof.

After the masonry compound is prepared, a suitable Styrofoam core isselected and placed vertically on lower surface 30. The masonry compoundso prepared is placed in a masonry spray gun, such as may be purchasedfrom the Refractall Manufacturing Company, of Tulsa, Okla. Upper surface28 and peripheral surface 32 are then spray coated using the nozzle ofthe spray gun to direct the ow of the masonry compound. After thisapplied surface has set to the extent that oat 24 may be handled, thecylindrical body is turned upside-down with surface 28 resting on theworking area with surface 30 then being coated as previously mentioned.

Another marine float indicated generally at 40 is shown in FIGURES 5 and6 and comprises a central cylindrical Styrofoam or polystyrene core 42having upper and lower planar surfaces 44, 46 and a peripheralcylindrical wall 48. Each of walls 44 and 46 has an indentation 48, 50substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis of cylindrical core 42.Wall 48 has two indentations 52, 54 which are placed on a diameter ofcylindrical core 42 approximately midway through the length thereof. Alongitudinal strengthening rod 56 extends between indentations 48, S andis provided with an eye 58 Vat each end. A transverse strengthening rod60 extends between indentations 52, 54 and is likewise provided with aneye 62 on each end. Float 40 is 4covered with a masonry coating 64 whichprovides a high strength, hard durable covering. As shown in FIGURE 6provisions are made so that longitudinal strengthening rod 56 does notinterfere with transverse rod 60, as by positioning rod 56 slightlyremoved from the axis of cylindrical core 42 or by providing a centrallydisposed bent portion which straddles rod 60.

In the construction of float 40 rods 56, 60 are preferably formedwithout eyes 58, 62 and are placed in a mold into which is poured theraw materials necessary to form core 42. The mold is so formed as toproduce indentations 48, 50, 52, 54 with the extreme ends of rods 56, 60extending thereinto. After the core has hardened it is removed forfurther assembly steps. A suitable protective covering is placed on theexposed ends of rods 56, 60 after which masonry coating 64 is applied aspreviously discussed. Eyes 58, 62 may then be secured to rods 56, 60 byany suitable manner, such as by welding or by threaded connections whichmay be peened.

Alternatively, float 40 may be constructed by selecting a cylindricalStyrofoam core and cutting indentations 48, 50, 52, 54 therein with aknife or the like. Rods 56, 60, with at least one end being formedwithout an eye may then be inserted into an indentation and pushedthrough Styrofoam core 42 exiting in the oppositely placed indentation.A suitable protective device is placed on the exposed ends of rods 56,60 after which masonry coating 64 is applied as previously discussed.The additional eye may be secured to either of the rods as previouslymentioned.

It should be noted that in this embodiment of the invention, eyes 58, 62are positioned with their outermost extremity disposed inwardly of theouter edge of coating 64, to preclude the eyes being broken off duringrough treatment or handling.

Another mode of utilizing marine oat 40 is shown in FIGURE 4 where aseries of cords, cables or the like 36 connect the planar ends of float24 and a similar series of cables 38 connects another group of floats 34so that an area of water may be cordoned off to establish a safeswimming area which may be readily observed by a lifeguard.

Referring now to FIGURE 7 there is indicated generally at 64 a nun-typenavigational buoy comprising a lower frusto-conical shaped section 66 towhich is secured a depending eye 68 carrying a cable 70 which may besecured to any convenient anchoring means (not shown). Buoy 64 alsocomprises a relatively shorter upper frusto-conical shaped section 72with the enlarged edges of frusto-conical sections 66, 72 abutting. Inthe manufacture of such a buoy, a Styrofoam core is molded to theopposed double frusto-conical shape shown with a masonry coating sprayedthereon.

Also shown in FIGURE 7 is a can-type navigational buoy indicatedgenerally at 74 comprising a lower frustoconical shaped section 76 andan upper cylindrical shaped section 78. A longitudinal strengthening rod80 is provided carrying eyes 82, 84 to which .may be secured a cable orthe like as shown at 86. A transverse strengthening rod 88 is providedwhich extends through the cylindrical upper section 7S and which carrieseyes 90, 92 so that a series of such buoys may be secured together abovethe surface of the Water in much the same manner as oats 24 are securedas shown in FIGURE 4.

Also shown in FIGURE 7 is a spar-type marine buoy indicated generally at94, comprising a short lower frustoconical shaped section 96 to which isdependingly secured an eye 98 carrying a cable 100 for attachment to ananchoring (not shown). The upper section spar-type buoy 94 comprises anelongated truste-conical shaped core 102. Buoy 94 may be convenientlymade in the manner previously indicated.

Referring now to FIGURES 8 to l0, inclusive, there is indicatedgenerally at 104 a marine buoy which is adapted to carry a signal light.Buoy 104 comprises a lower cylindrical masonry covered float 106 and anupper light `housing 108. Float 106 comprises a cylindrical Styrofoam orpolystyrene core 110 having a blind aperture 113 in the upper endthereof. The exterior surfaces of Styrofoam core 110 carry a masonrycoating 112 which may be of any desired thickness, but which issubstantially thicker at the lower end thereof as shown at 114. An eye116 is secured in an indentation 118 in lower wall 114 by anyconventional means, such as by a shank 120 which extends through lowerwall 114, core 110, and inner wall 112 and which is secured thereto by awasher 122 and a threaded nut and bolt 124, 126.

Se-curing light housing 108 to oat 106 is an attachment means indicatedgenerally at 128 comprising an annular ring 130 having a series ofcircumferentially'spaced threaded openings and located beneath wall 112as more fully explained hereinafter.

In the construction of oat 106, core 110 is molded to the desiredconfiguration, which includes an indentation surrounding blind aperture113 for the reception of annular ring 130, and an axial indentation onthe outer planar surface of core 110 so that eye 116 may be positionedas shown in FIGURE 9. As previously mentioned the masonry compound isprepared with core 110 being vertically placed on a suitable workingarea. Annular ring 130 is placed in the appropriate indentation with agrease covered threaded bolt being placed in each of the threadedapertures of ring 130. A grease covered shank is placed so that itextends upwardly through the hole which corresponds to the :position ofshank 120.

The outer surfaces of core 110 are then sprayed with the masonrycompound to provide exterior walls 112. After the walls 112 haveinitially set, the greased bolts which were inserted into the threadedopenings of annular ring 130 are removed and oat 106 is turnedupsidedown with thickened layer 114 being similarly applied. The greasecovered shank is then removed with eye 116, shank 120 being inserted inplace thereof. Light housing 108 is assembled with bolts 142 replacingthe previously removed grease covered bolts and engaging the threadedopenings in annular ring 130.

Light housing 108 may be of any desired type, but is shown as comprisinga waterproof seal 132 having a series of circumferential-ly spacedopenings, a cover plate 134 having a similar series of openings, and asecond waterproof seal 136. Positioned above second waterproof seal is alower shield frame 138 having a series of peripherally spaced openingsand a glass light shield 140 secured to shield :frame 138 by anysuitable means. Shield frame 138 carries a `series of outwardlyextending hooks 141 for purposes hereinafter more fully explained.

As shown in FIGURE 9 a bolt 142 is used to align the openings of shieldframe 138, second waterproof seal 136, cover plate 134, and rstwaterproof seal 132 for engagement with the threaded openings of annularring 130. Secured to the upper portion of glass light shield 140 is ahooded top 144 having a series of radial circumferentially spacedopenings 146 which provide a vent means for the escape of combustionmaterials within housing 108. Secured to the upper peripheral edge ofhooded top 144 is a roof 148 of transluscent or transparent material.

A series of hook bolts 150 are secured as by threaded' shield frame 13S.Roof 148 and hooded top 144 are secured to shield 140 by bolts 150 incooperation with ange 141 and nut 152.

Any suitable lighting device may be placed in iloat 104, such as anautomatic electric lamp. The bulb of the lamp would extend through coverplate 134 with the necessary battery and wiring being conveniently heldin blind aperture 113. A light sensitive switch may be installed on buoy104 to actuate a lamp only during hours of darkness.

Alternatively a gas operated or kerosene operated light could beprovided with the burner portion extending through the center of coverplate 134. The necessary gas supply tank could he -conveniently housedin blind aperture 113. It has been found that with a kerosene operatedlamp, fuel may be placed in blind aperture 113 without the necessity ofa tank or of special preparation of inner wall 112. In order that thegas or kerosene llame burns only during hours of darkness, a lightsensitive switch may be installed in a battery powered circuit toactuate an electric lighter.

FIGURE 11 shows a -much larger navigational buoy indicated generally at154 comprising a lower lloat section indicated generally at 156 and anupper framework shown generally at 158. Lower oat section 156 is ofsimilar configuration to oat 106 providing a blind aperture. Frameworksection 158 comprises a series of converging braces 160 secured by anyconvenient means to oat 156, braces 160 being spaced apart by a seriesof parallel braces 162 and diagonal supports 164. Disposed centrally offramework 158 is an electrically operated bell 166 and a pair ofstationary clappers 168. Bell 166 is conveniently pivotally mounted suchthat the oscillation thereof will contact clappers 168 thus providing anaudible alarm. A battery and other necessary electrical equipment neededto operate bell 166 is housed in the blind aperture.

Shown in FIGURE 12 is another navigational buoy indicated generally at170 comprising a lower float section shown generally at 172 and an upperalarm housing indicated generally at 174. Float 172 is made in a similarmanner to oats 156 and 106. Alarm housing 174 houses a suitable whistleor horn 176 with the necessary electrical equipment being housed in ablind aperture in oat 172.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided animproved marine oat and method of making the same, which accomplishesall of the objects of this invention and others, including manyadvantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of the inventive concept, and since manymodifications may be made in the embodiments hereinbefore shown anddescribed, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to beinterpreted merely as illustrative and not in `a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A marine float comprising a substantially cylindrical inner corehaving a longitudinal axis and dimension, a diameter, and an exteriorsurface, said core having a centrally disposed blind aperture with aninwardly facing wall therein; said exterior surface and said inwardlyfacing wall carrying a spray coated masonry surface, and an annular ringhaving peripherally spaced threaded apertures positioned adjacent saidblind aperture between said core and said masonry surface, said masonrysurface having a plurality of openings coaxial with and immediatelyabove said threaded apertures of said annular ring.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said masonry surface comprises WhitePortland cement and graded silica sand in a ratio between one partcement to three parts sand and one part cement to four parts sand,between one to two pounds of Berylex per cubic yard of masonry compoundand between 15 to 37 pounds of expanded pumicite per cubic yard ofmasonry compound.

3. The structure of claim 1 wherein said core is of Styrofoam.

4. 'The structure of claim 1 wherein said core is of polystyrene.

5. The structure of claim 1 wherein said ring supports an annulartransparent light housing, and a light in said housing.

6. The structure of claim 5 wherein said light housing has a translucentroof.

7. The structure of claim 1 wherein said ring supports an electricallyoperated bell.

S. The structure of claim 1 wherein said ring supports an alarm whistle.

9. The method of forming a marine float comprising the steps ofselecting a core made of a material chosen from the group consisting ofStyrofoam and polystyrene and having a centrally disposed blindaperture, selecting an annular ring having a series of peripherallyspaced threaded openings, placing said annular ring on the upper end ofsaid core coaxial with said blind aperture, threadably securing a seriesofvbolts in each of said threaded openings, grease coating the upperends of said bolts, and spraying a masonry compound on the externalsurfaces of said core.

10. The method of claim 9 including the further steps of permitting saidmasonry compound to dry, removing said grease coated bolts, and securingan alarm housing to said ring by additional bolts.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,643,329 9/1927 Baribault 114-652,501,698 3/1950 Stecker.

3,132,417 5/ 1964 Irwin 9 8 X 3,157,144 11/1964 De Jarnett 114.5

FOREIGN PATENTS 1,346,454 11/1963 France.

OTHER REFERENCES The Dow Chemical Co. Styrofoam Technical Data, Midland,Mich., 1947, p. 16.

MILTON BUCHLER, Primary Examiner. T. MAJOR, Assistant Examiner.

1. A MARINE FLOAT COMPRISING A SUBSTANTIALLY CYLINDRICAL INNER COREHAVING A LONGITUDINAL AXIS AND DIMENSION, A DIAMETER, AND AN EXTERIORSURFACE, SAID CORE HAVING A CENTRALLY DISPOSED BLIND APERTURE WITH ANINWARDLY FACING WALL THEREIN; SAID EXTERIOR SURFACE AND SAID INWARDLYFACING WALL CARRYING A SPRAY COATED MASONRY SURFACE, AND AN ANNULAR RINGHAVING PERIPHERALLY SPACED THREADED APERTURES POSITIONED ADJACENT SAIDBLIND APERTURE BETWEEN SAID CORE AND SAID MASONRY SURFACE, SAID MASONARYSURFACE HAVING A PLURALITY OF OPENINGS COAXIAL WITH AND IMMEDIATELYABOVE SAID THREADED APERTURES OF SAID ANNULAR RING.